An artist who experiments with mediums probably has a different perspective on things. At least that is the case of artist Subhash Thodayam, who creates wonders on newspaper.

The paintings of Subhash are made based on a different thought. Newspapers, the preliminary raw material used by the artist, are collected from random areas. “I found this art both challenging and interesting. It is really difficult to formulate an image over a cluster of words. Patience is required for attaining perfection in this,” says the artist while talking about his works. His paintings are displayed at an art show – named Papiro – being held at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi art gallery in Kozhikode. Papiro is the second exhibition of his works. The first one was held in Ernakulam in 2016.

“The term paper originated from the Egyptian term papyrus. Since my work is on paper, I found the word Papiro interesting. That’s how I named the show,” he says.

Subhash paints on newspapers that are collected from different regions in and out of the country. Many of his relatives and friends help him in gathering them. Newspapers in the languages Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, English, and many other Persian newspapers are in his collection. All his paintings are a combination of two major colours – orange and green.

“Newspapers are very delicate. It is difficult to paint with normal watercolour as the chances of colours spreading are high. So, I use colour gel pens. My work is a fusion of lines.”

Around two days are taken to finish a work. They are then immediately framed to avoid the chance of paper absorbing moisture. Most of his artworks are based on cultures and traditions of different places.

Subhash is a resident of Shoranur, Palakkad. Currently, he works as an English teacher at GHSS, Kunnakkavu.